Potential of Azolla pinnata R. Br. green manure for boosting soil fertility and yield of terrestrial crops in Uganda: a case study of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn
Ssenku, J.E. | Nabyonga, L. | Kitalikyawe, J. | Ntambi, S. | Aguttu, G. | Mustafa, A.S.
Azolla fern has traditionally been used over centuries as a source of nutrients for rice grown in paddies with minimal attention on crops grown terrestrially. In this study, we aimed at examining the feasibility of using Azolla pinnata green manure to improve soil fertility and yield of terrestrial crops using Eleusine coracana as a test plant. Infertile soil samples were subjected to five A. pinnata green manure treatment levels that were laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated five times in a screenhouse-based experiment. Seeds of E. coracana were germinated in the treated soils and their growth performance and yield assessed. Data were analyzed with the R statistical package and Graph Pad Prism 8. A. pinnata green manure treatment levels of 150 to 400 g/kg significantly improved the pH, Total N, Available P and cation exchange capacity of the soil. All the treatment levels significantly enhanced the growth performance, leaf width and length, number of ears per panicle, length of panicle ears, number of grains per panicle, and shoot dry matter production of E. coracana. Weight of 1000 grains, tiller formation and root dry matter production were only significantly enhanced by treatment levels of 150 to 400 g/kg. Correlation results demonstrated A. pinnata’s potential to improve soil fertility under terrestrial conditions and ultimately the yield of crops. The findings of this study are suggestive of a high potential of A. pinnata green manure for restoration of soil fertility and enhancement of terrestrial crop production.
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